Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 4,139	$ 5,657
Other comprehensive income:
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments	8,377	(2,691)
Applicable income taxes	(2,872)	899
Reclassification of investment appreciation in net earnings	(305)	(1,807)
Applicable income taxes	107	632
Foreign currency translation	558	493
Applicable income taxes	(69)	(30)
Prior service cost and actuarial gains/losses of defined benefit pension plans	(10)	4
Applicable income taxes	7
Other, net	3	(22)
Other comprehensive income, net	5,796	(2,522)
Comprehensive income	9,935	3,135
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	103	74
Comprehensive income attributable to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders	$ 9,832	$ 3,061